Guilty is the fourth Korean extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Taemin. It was released on October 30, 2023, through SM Entertainment. The EP is Taemin's first release since being discharged from military service. It consists of six songs, including the lead single, "Guilty".
Taemin's third Korean EP, Advice, was released in May 2021, shortly prior to his mandatory enlistment in the South Korean military.[1] He completed his military service in April 2023. On October 10, SM Entertainment confirmed that Taemin would release his fourth EP later that month, bringing his two-year hiatus to an end.[2] In an interview with Luxury magazine, Taemin said that he took inspiration for the EP from Georges Bataille's 1957 book L'Erotisme. He stated that it would reflect on past chapters of his career, and described it as "an album where I walk on a tightrope to see how far I can go".[3]
The EP contains six songs of various genres. Lead single "Guilty" describes a selfish love that hurts others, incorporating strings and "dynamic" synths.[4] "The Rizzness" is a hip hop track with 808 bass kick, strong synth bass, organ and electric guitar tremolo sounds. The song implores those who are easily swayed by the words of others to listen to their own voices. "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" is a hip hop-based song that compares the moment love ends to the wilting of flower petals. It utilises guitar riffs and retro synth sounds to create a lonely atmosphere.[5]Alternative pop song "Not Over You" features "dreamy" chords, rhythmic drums and emotional vocals. It is about being unable to accept a break-up, and expresses feelings of suffering and longing. "Night Away" uses a soft guitar melody and synths to evoke warmth. The lyrics describe happy moments with a lover.[6] Finally, "Blue" contains a hopeful message, likening the realisation of long-awaited dreams to blue light.[5]
Guilty was announced on October 10, 2023, through the release of a teaser image showing a person's feet stood next to a white T-shirt strewn across the floor.[1][7] Pre-orders began the same day.[2] On October 13, Taemin uploaded a "photo dump" to social media, depicting scenery such as deserts, swimming pools and streets.[8] He released a variety of online promotional content, including mood clips, teaser images and trailers.[9] Newspaper sheets containing the album artwork were distributed throughout Seoul from October 25 to October 27.[10] Taemin hosted a livestream through various social media platforms on October 30 to count down to the album's release.[11] He held a concert titled Metamorph at the Inspire Arena in Incheon in December.[12]
^Yoon, Jeong-eun; Jeong, Song (October 2023). "The Identity". Luxury (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
^Park, Seo-hyun (October 17, 2023). 샤이니 태민, 신곡에 '길티'한 사랑 담았다..10월 30일 컴백 [Shinee Taemin's new song contains 'guilty' love... comeback on October 30]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^ abHwang, Hye-jin (October 18, 2023). 믿고 듣는 샤이니 태민 'Guilty'에 담은 다채로운 목소리 [Shinee Taemin's colourful voice in 'Guilty' that you can trust and listen to]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Se-ah (October 19, 2023). 샤이니 태민, '길티'로 그려낼 사랑의 상반된 감정 [Shinee's Taemin portrays the conflicting emotions of love in 'Guilty']. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (October 13, 2023). '컴백' 샤이니 태민, 새 앨범 'Guilty' 포토 덤프 공개... 자유로운 무드 ['Comeback': Shinee's Taemin releases photo dump for new album 'Guilty'... free mood]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ye-bin (October 16, 2023). 태민, 아이스크림이 녹아 흘러내린다…'길티' [Taemin's ice cream melts and flows down... 'Guilty']. Newsis (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023 – via Naver.
^Han, Hae-seon (October 25, 2023). "호외요 호외!"..'30일 컴백' 샤이니 태민, 신사·한남·홍대서 'Guilty' 신문 배포 ["Extra, extra!".. 'Comeback on October 30' Shinee's Taemin distributes 'Guilty' newspapers in Sinsa, Hannam, and Hongdae]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ye-bin (October 24, 2023). 샤이니 태민, 30일 컴백 카운트다운 라이브 [Shinee's Taemin to hold comeback countdown livestream on the October 30]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Naver.
